Bail arrangement for a pharmaceutical bottle



Nov. 30, 1965 w. E. HlDDlNG 3,220,591

BAIL ARRANGEMENT FOR A PHARMACEUTICAL BOTTLE Filed Feb. 6. 1961 0km M s.

United States Patent Q 3,220,591 nan. ARRANGEMENT non A PHARMACEUTICAL norrnn Walter E. Bidding, Arlington Heights, 111., assignor to Blacldrawir Plastic Manufacturing Corp., Addison, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed Feb. 6, 1961, Ser. No. 87,157 2 Claims. (Cl. 215-100) This invention relates generally to handle devices for specially formed pharmaceutical bottles used to contain blood plasma and the like. The present invention relates particularly to a handle device of this type which is produced by a plastics molding operation.

In the past, handle devices for pharmaceutical bottles used to contain blood plasma and the like have been manufactured as a two-piece assembly. The bail of the device is fashioned from round wire; and the collar by which the bail is secured to the bottle is fashioned from a strip of sheet material, the ends of which are twisted together about the bottle to accomplish mounting. The handle or bail is fastened to the collar by means of ears. These arrangements have not always provided a completely secure mounting of the bottle. Accidents have occurred and critical, medical procedures have been interrupted. Moreover, the cut edge of the collar has proved hazardous to those handling the parts either in shipment or in use.

Handle devices for pharmaceutical bottles of the type described have also been made heretofore in the form of an integral unit by means of a plastics molding operation. Such a device is disclosed in my U.S. patent application Serial No. 643,578, filed March 4, 1957, now Patent No. 2,982,434. While these latter handle devices have overcome the safety problem encountered in handling, other problems have remained unsolved. Accordingly, an important object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved handle device for specially formed pharmaceutical bottles used to contain blood plasma and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a handle device of the type described which ensures a highly positive grip on the bottle.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a handle device of the type described which is easy to assemble to the pharmaceutical bottle.

And still another object of the invention is to provide a handle device of the type described which is convenient to use and simple to manufacture.

Additional objects and features of the invention pertain to the particular structure and arrangements whereby the above objects are attained.

A structure in accordance with the invention includes a flexible collar of resilient material, the collar being stretchably passable over one end of a pharmaceutical bottle to be received in a circumferential groove formed in the exterior thereof gripping the bottle firmly, the collar having a first edge leading the collar over the end of the bottle and having a second edge trailing the first edge into engagement with the bottle; and a flexible bail joined integrally at its ends to the collar across a diameter thereof at the first edge, the bail freely passing over the end of the bottle, forces tensioning the bail tending to urge the second edge tightly against the cooperatively disposed side of the groove and against the floor of the groove adjacent the cooperatively disposed side.

In order that the principle of the invention may be readily understood, a single embodiment thereof is shown in the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an empty pharmaceutical bottle suspended by means of a handle device constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to the showing of FIG. 1, illustrating the pharmaceutical bottle in filled condition and illustrating use of the split ring arrangement for grippingly receiving and supporting tubing associated with passage of the contents of the bottle;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary view showing the cooperation between the collar of the handle device and the grooves of the bottle when little or no tension is applied to the bail, the collar being shown in section;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to the showing of FIG. 3 but illustraitng the conditions that exist when the bail is tensioned;

FIG. 5 is a plan View of the handle device of the invention in its as-molded form; and

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the handle device of FIG. 5.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, specifically to FIGS. 5-6, a handle device indicated generally by the numeral 10 will be seen to include a collar 12, a bail 14 and a split ring arrangement 16, all of the parts being formed together as a unitary assembly by means of a plastics molding operation. A tough, relatively resilient, resinous plastic material is advantageously employed in the formation of the handle device 16; and polyolefinic materials, such as polyethylene, have proved eminently useful in this regard.

The collar 12 is formed as a flexible, endless element having tapering sides as is well illustrated in FIG. 6; and while collar 12 is shown as having been molded in the form of a rectangle with rounded ends, it may be equally well molded in other configurations since it is intended to be a flexible element capable of taking the shape of the container which it grips. Because the pharmaceutical bottle to which the handle device 10 is attached has round cross-section ordinarily, collar 12 will take a generally frusto-conical shape in use. Collar 12 has a first or bottom edge 18 which is associated with its major dimension and has a second or top edge 20 which is associated with its minor dimension.

The bail 14 comprises a flexible, solid cylindrical element joined at its ends to the collar 12 across a diameter thereof at the bottom edge 18. The bail 14 also is arranged to take a length which is sufficiently in excess of one-half of the perimeter of collar 12 to permit the bail free passage over the end of the pharmaceutical bottle to which the collar 12 is attached. Thus, it is unnecessary to stretch the bail into use position over the bottle and a more convenient structure is achieved.

Continuing with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the split ring arrangement 16 will be seen to include an arm 22 having a split ring or C-shaped element 24 attached to one end. The other end of arm 22 is secured to collar 12 at the bottom edge 18 adjacent one end of bail 14, the split ring 24 extending radially outwardly from collar 12. The split ring arrangement 16 is arranged for grippingly receiving and supporting tubing associated with passage of the contents of the pharmaceutical bottle to which the handle device 10 is attached, as will be disclosed more fully hereinafter.

Having thus described one construction of the handle device of the invention, it is important also to describe the manner in which the several parts function and cooperate. Accordingly, reference now will be had to FIGS. 1-4. There, a pharmaceutical bottle formed of clear glass will be seen indicated generally by the numeral 26. The bottle 26 includes a generally cylindrical body portion 23 which terminates at one end in a necked opening 30 and which terminates at the other end in a closedotf portion 32. Adjacent the end portion 32, a circumferential groove 34 is formed on the exterior of the body portion 28. This groove is adapted to receive the collar 12 of handle device 1i) as is particularly well shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. When the handle device is assembled to bottle 26 with collar 12 engaging the groove 34, the bottle is easily suspended in an inverted position by slipping the bail 14 over the hook of a hanger device 36 or some other similar support element. It will be recognized that the bottle 26 can also be placed down on its end 32, bail 14 not obstructing such use since the bail is molded approximately coplanarly with the collar 12, stresses being molded into the bail tending to retain it in coplanar relationship with collar 12 in the normal or rest condition.

The handle device 10 is readily assembled to the bottle 26 by feeding the first or bottom edge 18 of the collar 12 over the end 32 of the bottle. Since pharmaceutical bottles of the type comprehended for use in conjunction with the handle device 10 are normally fashioned with a slight roundness or taper to the bottom, the collar 12 may be progressively led into contact with the outer surface of the bottle. Furthermore, since the collar 12 is fashioned from a tough, resilient, resinous plastic material, it may be stretched somewhat in passing over the walls of the bottle without permanent deformation. Therefore, when the collar 12 engages the groove 34, it will tend to resume its former size and grip the floor of the groove firmly, as is shown in FIG. 3. It is recognized that collar 12 may be fashioned slightly undersize to enhance this gripping engagement.

When the bottle 26 is empty and is supported as is shown in FIG. 1, little or no tension is placed on the bail 14. Under these circumstances, the resilient gripping of the bottle by collar 12 is more than sufficient to support the bottle and prevent disengagement of the handle device 10 from the bottle. However, when the bottle is full or substantially so, as is shown in FIG. 2, an appreciable weight is placed on the bail 14 placing that element in tension generally axially of the bottle. It will also be recognized that, in the working position of the bottle shown in FIG. 2, additional weight can be imposed on the bottle, for example in setting it in position, or through accident. Such tensile forces do not tend to separate the handle device 10 from the bottle 26. Rather, such forces tend to urge the collar into even tighter gripping engagement. This is illustrated in FIG. 4. There, the bail 14 will be seen exposed to tensile forces which tend to stretch the bottom edge 18 of the collar 12. However, these forces concomitantly tend to constrict the top edge 20, simultaneously urging the top edge 20 tightly against the cooperatively disposed side of the groove and against the floor of the groove adjacent the cooperatively disposed side thereof. The present arrangement has been found to provide a highly positive grip on the bottle.

In use, the bottle 26 may be closured by means of a stopper 38 which is held in place by means of a cap, not

shown. Passage of fluid contents, to or from the bottle, is achieved by means of tubing 4-0 and a hypodermic needle arrangement 42. oftentimes it is desired to raise a part of the tubing 40 above the level of the contents in bottle 26. This is achieved in the instant invention by inserting the tubing 40 in the split ring 24 of arrangement 16 as is illustrated in FIG. 2. The arrangement 16 is disposed adjacent one end of the bail 14 so that the tubing 40 may be inserted between the bail and the bottle for additional support if necessary.

The specific example herein shown and described should be considered as illustrative only. Various changes in structure may occur to those skilled in the art; and these changes are to be understood as forming a part of this invention insofar as they fall within the true spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A handle device for pharmaceutical bottles having an external, circumferential groove adjacent one end, said device comprising: an endless collar formed of flexible resilient material in order to be resiliently stretchable lengthwise for passage over said one end of the pharmaceutical bottle to be received in said groove firmly gripping said bottle, said collar being formed in generally frusto-conical shape, said collar having a first edge portion leading said collar over said end of the bottle, a second edge portion trailing said first edge portion into engagement with said bottle and a strap portion intermediate said edge portions defining a leverage member therebetween, said first edge portion being associated with the major diameter of said frusto-conical collar and said second edge portion being associated with the minor diameter thereof; and a flexible bail joined integrally at its ends to said collar at said first edge portion and away from said second edge portion, whereby forces tensioning said bail generally axially of said bottle and in a direction away from said one end act through said first edge portion and said strap portion to urge said second edge portion tightly against the cooperatively disposed portions of said groove.

2. A handle device according to claim 1 wherein said collar and said bail are fabricated from polyethylene.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,087,491 8/1954 Coquelle 215- 2,982,434 5/1961 Hidding 215100 3,000,527 9/1961 Jennings et al. 215-100 3,036,371 5/1962 Gray et al 215-100 THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner. EARLE J. DRUMMOND, Examiner. 

1. A HANDLE DEVICE FOR PHARMACEUTICAL BOTTLES HAVING AN EXTERNAL, CIRCUMFERENTIAL GROOVE ADJACENT ONE END, SAID DEVICE COMPRISING: AN ENDLESS COLLAR FORMED OF FLEXIBLE RESILIENT MATERIAL IN ORDER TO BE RESILIENT STRETCHABLE LENGTHWISE FOR PASSAGE OVER SAID ONE END OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL BOTTLE TO BE RECEIVED IN SAID GROOVE FIRMLY GRIPPING SAID BOTTLE, SAID COLLAR BEING FORMED IN GENERALLY FRUSTO-CONICAL SHAPE, AND COLLAR HAVING FIRST EDGE PORTION LEADING SAID COLLAR OVER SAID END OF THE BOTTLE, A SECOND EDGE PORTION TRAILING SAID FIRST EDGE PORTION INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID BOTTLE AND A STRAP PORTION INTERMEDIATE SAID EDGE PORTIONS DEFINING A LEVERAGE MEMBER THEREBETWEEN, SAID FIRST EDGE PORTION BEING ASSOCIATED WITH THE MAJOR DIAMETER OF SAID FRUSTO-CONICAL COLLAR AND SAID SECOND EDGE PORTION BEING ASSOCIATED WITH THE MINOR DIAMETER THEREOF; AND A FLEXIBLE BAIL JOINED INTERGRALLY AT ITS ENDS TO SAID COLLAR AT SAID FIRST EDGE PORTION AND AWAY FROM SAID SECOND EDGE PORTION, WHEREBY FORCES TENSIONING SAID BAIL GENERALLY AXAILLY OF SAID BOTTLE AND IN A DIRECTION AWAY FROM SAID ONE END ACT THROUGH SAID FIRST EDGE PORTION AND SAID STRAP PORTION TO URGE SAID SECOND EDGE PORTION TIGHTLY AGAINST THE COOPERATIVELY DISPOSED PORTIONS OF SAID GROOVE. 